"Oh NO! My Texas license renews in two months! I need 30continuing education requirements (CEs), and two have to be inethics. Things have been so busy at work and home that I justhaven't had the time. And, what about my Florida license? Not tomention New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Wyoming. Since theworld has not come to an end, (yes, the ultimate catastrophe) and Idid not win the lottery leaving claims behind for that tropicalbeach life, I have got to take some courses -- any courses -- very,very soon."

Does this sound familiar? Do you clamor for credits at the lastminute like our imaginary friend above, with not a care as to thecontent and quality of whatever courses you can take in the nextfew weeks? Or do you have a strategy in place for not only meetingyour CE requirements but increasing your knowledge base and yourultimate net worth?

When you plan your continuing education endeavors to not onlymeet the various states' requirements but also to gain andimplement new knowledge and skill techniques, you are creating atremendous personal asset that leads to a more rewarding career.You really want to seek quality learning experiences in fulfillingyour CE requirements.

Let's identify some of the components for quality adult learningand learn how to select appropriate continuing education coursesthat not only fulfill requirements, but also take your career tothe next level.

Training Versus Education

We've all had training, but education is different fromtraining. Training teaches someone how to perform a particulartask. It's highly focused, usually with a finite objective. Forexample, "At the conclusion of this training module, while usingthe NADA Book and Red Book, you will be able to prepare an accuratetotal-loss evaluation." Conversely, education is much broader so asto empower one to act. Herbert Spencer, a 19th century philosopherand scientist, said it best: "The great aim of education is notknowledge, but action."

To have knowledge and do nothing with it provides no benefit.Adult learners have different expectations than child learners.Generally, adults want to do something with knowledge obtained,whereas children will learn simply for learning's sake. In today'sfast-paced, changing environment that demands continual learning,adult learners look to the teaching methods that provide optimumlearning experiences.

Quality Adult Learning Signs

Let's first consider what constitutes adult quality learning. Intrain-the-trainer classes that we have taught, we ask our studentsto think of a class, seminar, or some other learning experiencethat was the best in their lives. We then ask, "What made it thebest?" Typical responses we get are:

• "It was experiential; we got to try out what we werelearning."
• "The trainer allowed for open expression of ideas, so nobodyfelt stupid."
• "The speaker was passionate about the topic, well prepared, andwelcomed other views."
• "What I learned I was able to put in use within a short periodof time."

The elements of a good adult quality learning experienceare:

• The information, knowledge, and skills presented are able to beused in the learner's work activities right after the class. Thematerial has relevance and can be acted upon at once.
• Opportunities are given within the session for the learner totry out the concepts and techniques without fear of criticism ifnot perfect the first time. Small group workshops and/or exercisesare used for these opportunities. These represent as close toreal-life work situations as possible.
• The instructor acts as a coach in providing support andguidance to the learner in understanding and utilizing the newknowledge, information, and skills presented.
• The learner has the full opportunity to ask questions, andreceive answers in a risk-free manner.
• Professional development knowledge and skills are ones that thelearner will be able to put to use in his present work environmentor in a work environment in the reasonable future.

Professional Education

Professional education is about the big picture. If you consideryourself a professional, you need to study and strive to becompetent in the entire profession. For example, many attorneysspecialize in particular area of practice (e.g., civil litigation),but to pass the bar exam they have to demonstrate competence inmany areas of law, including: criminal law, family law, civil law,etc. Only approximately half of the Chartered Property CasualtyUnderwriter (CPCU) curriculum deals with insurance. CPCU candidatesalso study and are tested on law, finance, economics, andaccounting. Most physicians specialize in a particular area ofmedicine (e.g., cardiology, gastroenterology, neurology, etc.) butall were first generalists capable of performing routine medicalprocedures.

The claim profession is huge; there is never a shortage oftopics about which a claim professional can learn. Continuingeducation should be a way of expanding your knowledge into otherareas of claims that you don't know about. Who knows, maybe thecontinuing education class you take today leads to another type ofclaim you can handle in the future? Certainly, a little diversityin learning only increases your professional value. Diversity inlearning never hurts; education is never wasted.

Many types of CE training are available to adjusters. Some arecustomized to meet the specific needs of a company by taking intoconsideration their unique policy forms, procedures, and thecorresponding statutes and case laws of their operatingterritories. Others adopt the one-size-fits-all approach.

CE training can consist of self-study, web-based, visitingvendors, classroom, and outside seminars. Each adult learner shouldmatch their own individual needs to the benefits of each CEtraining type in order to decide. We use the word "should" becausethis may not be always possible.

Developing a CE Strategy

Effective adjuster CE training content is meaningful, relevant,and enhances your knowledge and skill base. It is readily availablein an accessible format while mitigating lost productivity. But astrategy is necessary.

First, know and understand all of your CE requirements for thestates in which you are licensed. This includes information on:

• Number of credits required.
• Type of credits required. For instance, Florida requirescredits in law policy, optional, and ethics, while Texas requireshalf of all CE hours be in classroom courses.
• CE completion dates.

Organize this information by creating a spreadsheet. Then breakyour CE down into manageable bites. For example, if a staterequires 24 credits every two years, this is roughly four days ofclasses. Plan on attending a class every six months.

Then give some thought to the types of things you would like tolearn within your profession. Develop your own personal curriculum.Consider the following questions as a guide:

• What types of courses will empower me to do my current jobbetter?
• What courses will be helpful for future workopportunities?
• What additional knowledge will help me and my family in ourpersonal lives? (e.g., personal lines coverage, retirement riskmanagement, umbrella coverage, etc.)
• What are some areas of claims that I'd like to know more aboutjust for the fun of it?

Tracking CE

One company requires that their adjusters keep a binder forlicenses and continuing education. Each licensed state has its owntab, and that's where the licensee files CE certificates received.In a pocket in the front of the binder, each adjuster has aspreadsheet that contains all states where licensed, CErequirements, and a log of courses taken.

By using this simple method, adjusters have an instant referenceof where they stand with respect to meeting CE goals. In addition,all adjuster binders are audited by management twice a year. Thisprovides valuable management information on potential licensingproblems before they arise. It is a simple system, but veryvaluable.

Choose Wisely

Adjuster continuing education has become a fact of life. Thereis no uniformity among the states that require adjuster CE, norwill there be in the foreseeable future. The key is to effectivelyobtain the needed CEs and at the same time gain new knowledge,enhance adjusting skills and improve one's professionalism. Lookfor the CE programs that will take you to the next step, not justmeet a checked-box requirement.

Kathleen J. Robison, CPCU, AU, ARM, AIC is president of K.Robi& Associates, LLC, which provides outsourced customizedinsurance training for agents, underwriters, and claimprofessionals. She can be reached at 423-884-3226, [email protected],www.krobiconsult.com.

William C. Stewart, Jr., CPCU. CSRP, AIC, RPA, is presidentof Claims Training Services, a company that provides adjuster andproducer continuing education for multiple states and many of thetop insurers and adjusting firms in the U.S. He can be reached at732-942-0411,
[email protected],www.claimstraining.com.